Built-in rifle support

ABSTRACT

A rifle support  1000  is used to support and steady a rifle  10  having a barrel  11  and stock  12  having a stock forearm  13  which is generally parallel to the barrel  11.  It includes a forearm chamber  1120  within said stock forearm  13  having at least one frame member  1100.  The frame member  1100  is secured within the forearm chamber  1120.  At least one leg  1200  is attached to the frame member  1100  at a pin  1370  and allowed to slide along the frame member  1100.  The leg  1200  is capable of being in a fully stored position when fully pulled into forearm chamber  1120.  Or it may be in a fully deployed position when leg  1200  slides along frame member  1100  out of forearm chamber  1120.  It then pivots about a pin  1370  into a position which is generally perpendicular to the frame member  1100  and barrel  11.  This allows the leg  1200  to rest on the ground and support and steady the rifle  10.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to, and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/934,884, filed Jun. 15, 2007 “Built-In Rifle Support” by the same inventor, Zachary Dotson.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

NONE

SEQUENCE LISTING

NONE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a rifle support built into the rifle for steadying a rifle during firing.

2. Discussion of Related Art

Rifles, shotguns and other long guns are more accurate when a support is used to steady the gun during firing. There are devices that exist which open and hold the barrel of a rifle. One such design is a bipod design comprised of two legs which provide stability along two axes of motion, side-to-side as well as up-and-down.

These supports may be pre-installed during manufacture of the gun, or added to the gun after manufacture.

Since they are designed to support the barrel of the rifle, they usually are attached to, or hang from the barrel. Many are complicated having heavy spring mechanisms.

Also, since these are hanging at the end of the rifle and the weight is concentrated at a distance away from the user. The leverage makes them even more difficult to carry. Since hunters and soldiers are constantly carrying their rifles for long periods of time and for long distances, it becomes tiring to carry a rifle with weight distributed away from the user. Therefore, this weight distribution is critical.

Rifles are used in hunting and warfare. The element of surprise is very important. If one were to make noise just before shooting, the target will hear and flee. Therefore, it is also important to use a support mechanism which deploys quietly.

The rifle is used mainly outdoors and typically in wet or muddy areas. The water or mud can rust components impeding its operation. Mud potentially can become caked inside mechanized parts also impeding their operation. Therefore, it is important to have a design which resists the elements.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,032,494 discloses a prior art device, including a bipod support which clamps to an existing gun. The clamp attaches to the rifle. It springs open upon deployment and is noisy. The noise is counterproductive since it alerts the potential target of the gunman's presence, eliminating the element of surprise.

Such a design is complicated, heavy, cumbersome, not quiet, time consuming to set up and dismantle and not weather resistant.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,410,835 discloses another bipod support for a firearm having two struts. One of the struts has an elongated projection serving as the rest for the barrel of a rifle or a pistol when the two struts are positioned upright on the ground. The first and second struts are hinged to each other so that they may be folded relative to each other for compact storage.

In an alternative embodiment, the first strut is a hollow tubular member and the second strut may be placed inside the first strut in a coaxial telescoped manner for easy storage. One end of the second strut is beveled so that when it is inserted in an opening in the wall of the first strut it forms the desired angular relationship therewith. A series of rubber grommets on the barrel of the second strut resiliently engages the inside wall of the first strut when the two parts are telescoped together to thereby frictionally maintain the parts together and avoid relative movement between them.

Again, such a design has a less than optimum weight distribution, cumbersome, not quiet to deploy and not weather resistant.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,197,844 discloses a bipod-type gun support with a generally cylindrical hub that defines a barrel-receiving bore that can be slipped onto and off of the muzzle end of the gun. Downwardly diverging legs are integrally joined to opposite sides of the hub to present a one-piece construction. A slot along the top of the hub facilitates a slight amount of resilient flexing of sidewall portions of the hub toward and away from one another when the diverging legs are squeezed and released, thus enlarging the bore of the hub sufficiently to facilitate installation and removal of the support from the barrel. Preferably, the support is molded from a synthetic resinous material.

This design is complicated, expensive, time consuming to assemble and disassemble and not weather resistant.

There is currently a need for a long gun support which is simple, light weight, weather resistant, inexpensive, quiet and easily setup and dismantled.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the present invention is a rifle support 1000 for use on a gun having a stock forearm 13 and a barrel 11 generally parallel to the stock forearm 13, comprising:

-   -   a) A forearm chamber 1120 within said stock forearm 13;     -   b) At least one frame member 1100 secured within the forearm         chamber 1120;     -   c) A leg 1200 slidelingly attached to the frame member 1100 at a         pin 1370, the leg 1200 capable of being in a fully stored         position being generally within forearm chamber 1120, or being         in a fully deployed position in which the leg 1200 is allowed to         slide along frame member 1100 out of forearm chamber 1120, pivot         about pin 1370 into a position which is generally perpendicular         to the frame member 1100 and barrel 11 to interact with a         surface to support and steady the rifle 10.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a gun support which deploys in a quiet manner.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a gun support which deploys in a controlled manner.

It is another object of the present invention to provide gun support which is weather resistant.

It is another object of the present invention to provide gun support with a simple design.

It is another object of the present invention to provide gun support which is inexpensive.

It is another object of the present invention to provide gun support which is lightweight.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a long gun support that is a bipod which allows for quick deployment and breakdown.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a gun support which is self contained.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a gun support in which the legs are independently adjustable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantages of the instant disclosure will become more apparent when read with the specification and the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the embodiment of a gun support, shown in a stored position, according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the embodiment of a gun support of FIG. 1, shown in a partially deployed position.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the embodiment of a gun support of FIGS. 1 and 2, shown in a fully deployed position.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the embodiment of a gun support of FIGS. 1-3, shown in its fully deployed position.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side elevational view showing the legs locked in place.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a portion of a lower portion of a leg according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the lower portion of a leg shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a portion of an upper portion of a leg according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an end-on view of the upper portion of a leg shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view through the barrel and the forearm stock of another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a side view of the embodiment of a rifle support 1000 according to the present invention, shown in its stored position within a rifle 10.

Rifle 10 includes a stock 12, a barrel 11, a stock forearm 13, a trigger guard 17 and a trigger 15. Stock forearm 13 includes a forearm chamber 1120 within stock forearm 13. At least one frame member 1100 is mounted within forearm chamber 1120.

Frame member 1100 has a slot 1110 which extends along frame member 1100.

At least one leg 1200 is attached to a link 1350 which is slideably attached to frame member 1100 with a pivot or pin 1370. Pin 1370 is allowed to slide within slot 1110. The other side of link 1370 is attached to tab 1230 at a tab pivot 1390.

Preferably, there are two legs 1200 and two frame members 1100. Legs 1200 each have a foot 1210 at its end. In a preferred embodiment, there is an opening (1270 of FIG. 4) at the front of stock forearm 13. Foot 1210 is designed to fit into, and close off opening (1270 of FIG. 4). It is possible to use a flexible material on foot 1210 to provide a weather resistant seal when leg 1200 is fully retracted and foot 1210 fits snugly into opening (1270 of FIG. 4). Foot 1210 acts to seal forearm chamber 1120, when rifle support 1000 is in its fully retracted position. This feature allows for protecting against natural elements, effectively resulting in a weather resistant forearm chamber 1120.

Optionally, a latch 1290, acts to hold foot 1210 against opening (1270 of FIG. 4), when legs 1200 are in forearm chamber 1120 in the fully retracted position. When latch 1290 is opened, legs 1200 are free to move out of forearm chamber 1120.

A tab 1230 is attached to link 1350 or pin 1370 and extends out of forearm chamber 1120 such that it may be accessed by a user. The user is allowed to move tab 1230 to controllably push leg 1200 out of forearm chamber 1120. This allows the user to deploy the legs 1200 of rifle support 1000 in a quiet, controlled manner.

The user pushes tab 1230 until foot 1210 and leg 1200 extend from forearm chamber 1120 as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the embodiment of a rifle support 1000 of FIG. 1, shown in a partially deployed position. Latch 1290 is shown retracted.

Here tab 1230 was moved a good portion of the length of stock forearm 13. Leg 1200 is shown extending horizontally out of opening (1270 of FIG. 4) of forearm chamber 1120. Pin 1370 has also moved down slot 1110 allowing link 1350 to move with it.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the embodiment of the rifle support 1000 of FIGS. 1 and 2, shown in its fully deployed position. Here pin 1370 has moved to the end of slot 1110. Link 1350 is connected to the pin 1370 and also cannot extend any further. In this position, leg 1200 has extended enough to pivot downward to a vertical position as shown. The length of link 1350 and the end of slot 1110 have dimensions which allow leg 1200 to extend and pivot to a vertical position or slightly past the vertical position. It prevents leg 1200 from pivoting too far. Slot 1110, in conjunction with pin 1370, act as a safeguard against over-extending leg 1200.

In an optional embodiment, there is a notch (1130 of FIG. 5) in stock forearm 13 which received an upper portion of leg 1200 as it pivots downward. This further secures and steadies the rifle support 1000 and the barrel 11. In this embodiment, foot 1210 is made of a flexible material and shaped to fit tightly into opening (1270 of FIG. 4) and seal this opening when in the fully retracted position. This causes the device to be weather and mud-resistant.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a rifle support 1000 of FIGS. 1-3, shown in its fully deployed position.

Here it can be seen how the rifle is supported by the simple, lightweight mechanism.

Legs 1200 extend out of opening 1270.

Also, this view shows adjustable legs in which the length of each leg 1200 may be adjusted to compensate for uneven terrain. A lower portion 1255 may slide into the upper portion 1257 in order to shorten leg 1200. Alternatively, lower portion 1255 may be pulled out of upper portion 1257 to extend the length of leg 1200.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side elevational view showing the legs locked in place. In this position, leg 1200 has been fully extended out of forearm chamber 1120 of gun forearm 13. Slide member 1230 has run to its furthest extent in slot 1110 and stopped.

Leg 1200 was allowed to pivot on pivot 1370 into a vertical position. Leg 1200 was also allowed to move upward into a notch 1130. It was allowed to move in this direction due to link 1350 and tab pivot 1390 allowing such movement.

Once the top end of leg 1200 is in notch 1130, it is stable and will not rotate or fold up.

Once the user would like to fold up leg 1200, it must first be moved in a vertical downward position out of notch 1130, then it can be folded and inserted into forearm chamber 1120.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a portion of a lower portion of a leg 1255 also showing the foot 1210 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Lower portion 1255 fits into the upper portion of the leg 1257. Lower portion 1255 has a base portion 1510 and a serrated portion 1530. The serrated portion 1530 has a plurality of teeth 1531. These teeth interact with a catch on the upper portion of the leg 1257 to restrict the lower portion 1255 from moving further into the upper portion 1257.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the lower portion 1255 of the leg and foot 1210 shown in FIG. 6. Here the base portion 1510, serrated portion 1530 and teeth 1531 are seen form a different angle.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the upper portion 1257 of a leg according to one embodiment of the present invention. Here it is seen that the upper portion has a leg recess 1710 extending its length. It also has a recess opening 1730 for receiving the lower portion of the leg.

Upper portion 1257 also includes a device for restricting the further insertion of lower leg 1255 into upper leg 1257. In this embodiment it is a catch 1750. Catch 1750 has a tooth portion 1751, a catch pivot 1753 and an actuator portion 1755. There is also a spring urging tooth portion 1751 in the direction marked by arrow “A”.

The description below will be made in connection with FIGS. 1-8. Lower portion 1255 is stored all they way inside of upper portion 1257.

When deployed, lower portion 1255 is pulled out of upper portion 1257 to a desired length. The teeth 1531 and catch 1753 are designed such that the lower portion 1255 may be extended without pressing actuator portion 1755. However, actuator portion 1755 must be pressed against the urging of the spring causing tooth portion 1751 to move in the direction opposite arrow “A” into a retracted position to allow lower portion 1255 to be inserted into upper portion 1257.

One may also press actuator portion 1755 to extend lower portion 1255 in a manner which is quieter.

FIG. 9 is an end-on view of the upper portion 1257 shown in FIG. 8. This more clearly shows the recess opening 1730.

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view through the barrel 11 and the forearm stock 13 of another embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, upper portion 1257 has one or more extensions which fit into and slide along a slide passage 1150 which runs along the inside of forearm chamber 1120. These, conceptually, may be considered having elements 1230, 1350, 1370 and 1390 sliding in an internal passage 1150 internally instead of externally in slot 1110.

Here slide passage 1150 functions in a similar manner to slot 1110. Slide passage 1150 is shown having a “T” shaped cross section. Slide passage 1150 may alternatively have any number of other cross-sectional shapes. This is meant to aid in guiding the leg along forearm chamber 1120 and acting as a stop to lock the legs in an approximately vertical orientation.

Since element 1390 is internal and not accessible, another structure must be attached to the outer surface of the legs allowing the user to directly push the legs out of forearm chamber 1120.

Also, it can be seen that slot 1110 is now a larger side opening 1113. This embodiment is lighter in weight and easier to manufacture.

This self-contained rifle support 1000 has fewer mechanical parts that may break or malfunction.

It is very light, with the legs 1200 sliding back to the stock 12, shifting the weight to the stock 12 side of the rifle 10 where it is easier to carry.

It is designed to be weather and mud-resistant.

Since the present invention does not depend upon releasing springs or other automated release mechanisms, it can be quietly deployed, which makes it much more effective.

Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for the purposes of disclosure and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention. 

1. A rifle support 1000 for use on a gun having a stock forearm 13 and a barrel 11 generally parallel to the stock forearm 13, comprising: a) a forearm chamber 1120 within said stock forearm 13; b) at least one frame member 1100 secured within the forearm chamber 1120; c) at lease one slide member 1230 slidelingly attached to the frame member 1100; d) at least one pivot 1370 pivotally attached to slide member 1230; e) at least one leg 1200 coupled to pivot 1370 and allowed to rotate about pivot 1370, the leg 1200 and pivot 1370 capable of sliding into an opening 1270 of said stock forearm 13 and being stored inside of the forearm chamber 1120, or sliding out of forearm chamber 1120 in a deployed position in which the leg 1200 and pivot 1370 are allowed to slide along frame member 1100 out of forearm chamber 1120, pivot about pivot 1370 into a position which is generally perpendicular to the frame member 1100 and barrel 11 to interact with a surface to support and steady the barrel 11 of rifle
 10. 2. The rifle support of claim 1 wherein 2 legs are employed.
 3. The rifle support of claim 1 further comprising: a link 1350 connected between pivot 1370 and slide member 1230 allowing pivot 1370 to move vertically slightly above opening 1210 restricting leg 1200 and pivot 1370 from re-entering forearm chamber
 1120. 4. The rifle support of claim 1 further comprising: a tab 1230 connected to leg 1200 allowing a user to gradual slide leg 1200 out of forearm chamber in a quiet manner to deploy the legs
 1200. 5. The rifle support of claim 1 further comprising: a notch 1130 extending upward from the forearm chamber 1120 adjacent to the opening 1210, for receiving and securing an upper end of leg 1200 when the leg 1200 is in a deployed position.
 6. The rifle support of claim 1 wherein the legs each have an adjustable length to allow them to compensate for uneven terrain.
 7. The rifle support of claim 1 wherein each leg comprises: a) a first portion 1257 of the leg 1200 having an internal leg recess 1710; b) a second portion 1255 of the leg 1200 being sized and shaped to fit, at least partially, within the leg recess 1710 of the first portion
 1257. 8. The rifle support of claim 1 wherein: a) The first portion 1257 comprises a first securing device 1750; b) The second portion 1255 comprises a second securing device 1530 which interacts with the first securing device 1750 restricting further movement of the second portion 1255 into the first portion
 1257. 9. A rifle support 1000 for use on a gun having a stock forearm 13 and a barrel 11 generally parallel to the stock forearm 13, comprising: a) a forearm chamber 1120 within said stock forearm 13; b) at least one slide passage 1150 within the forearm chamber 1120; c) a slide member 1230 slidingly attached within slide passage 1150 allowed to slide along the slide passage 1150; d) an intermediate link 1350 pivotally attached to the slide member 1230; e) at least one leg 1200 pivotally attached to the intermediate link 1350, the leg 1200 capable of sliding into an opening 1270 of said stock forearm 13 and being stored inside of the forearm chamber 1120, or sliding out of forearm chamber 1120 in a deployed position in which the leg 1200 and pivot 1370 are allowed to slide along slide passage 1150 out of forearm chamber 1120, pivot into a position which is generally perpendicular to the forearm chamber 1120 to interact with a surface to support and steady the barrel 11 of rifle
 10. 10. The rifle support of claim 9 wherein 2 legs are employed.
 11. The rifle support of claim 9 further comprising: a tab 1230 connected to leg 1200 allowing a user to gradually slide leg 1200 out of forearm chamber in a quiet manner to deploy the legs
 1200. 12. The rifle support of claim 9 further comprising: a notch 1130 extending upward from the forearm chamber 1120 adjacent to the opening 1210, for receiving and securing an upper end of leg 1200 when the leg 1200 is in a deployed position.
 13. The rifle support of claim 9 wherein the legs each have an adjustable length to allow them to compensate for uneven terrain.
 14. The rifle support of claim 9 wherein each leg comprises: a) a first portion 1257 of the leg 1200 having an internal leg recess 1710; b) a second portion 1255 of the leg 1200 being sized and shaped to fit, at least partially, within the leg recess 1710 of the first portion
 1257. 15. The rifle support of claim 9 wherein: a) The first portion 1257 comprises a first securing device 1750; b) The second portion 1255 comprises a second securing device 1530 which interacts with the first securing device 1750 restricting further movement of the second portion 1255 into the first portion
 1257. 